Swimmer's Itch Prevention

The technical name for swimmer's itch is cercarial dermatitis. It is a skin rash resulting from an allergic reaction to certain parasites that live off of birds and mammals. Swimmer's itch develops on exposed areas of the skin after contact with these parasites after the swimmer has been in fresh or salt water.

Avoidance

• Avoiding areas where the swimmer's itch parasite may be located is probably the easiest form of defense. The parasite typically is found in shallow ponds or lakes where the warmer water temperature is ideal for the parasite to thrive. Also, the parasite's hosts typically are birds such as ducks or geese, so avoiding areas where you see these types of birds would also be beneficial.

Chemicals

• Killing the parasite in small ponds and lakes by chemical molluscicides (copper sulfate or copper carbonate) is an option. Other chemical options include placing a drug for treatment of the parasite into food bait for the aquatic birds. When the birds eat the food the chemical will kill the parasites that are already inside the birds. Caution should be used when using chemicals in water.

Remove Vegetation

• Keep the vegetation in the pond or the lake to a minimum so that the parasites do not have the ideal environment to grow.

Keep The Birds Away

• Avoid attracting birds to areas where people are swimming. The parasites live off of birds so discouraging them from your pond or lake will drastically reduce the chance of the parasites being present. Birds are creatures of habit and will come back if you feed them, so do not feed them. They will also tend to stay away in areas where their peace and quite is disturbed. Loud noises or dogs that chase birds are ways to make a pond less hospitable.